Juliet Ezeh
The Nigerian Communications Commission is moving to strengthen consumer protection in the telecoms sector with new regulatory measures aimed at curbing SIM-related fraud and safeguarding subscriber rights.
At the centre of the reforms is a proposal requiring telecom operators to provide a mandatory 14-day notice before deactivating or recycling any mobile line, a move designed to prevent unsuspecting users from losing access to their numbers and associated digital identities.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Aminu Maida, said the growing reliance on mobile numbers for banking, identification, and service access has made stronger safeguards inevitable.
He warned that the misuse of recycled and swapped SIMs has increasingly exposed subscribers to identity theft and financial fraud, often without their knowledge.
Under the proposed framework, telecom operators will also be required to upload details of churned or recycled numbers to a central risk management platform within seven days, enabling real-time monitoring and verification of suspicious lines.
The planned Telecoms Identity Risk Management System will allow service providers and institutions to flag high-risk numbers before granting access to sensitive services, thereby reducing the chances of fraud.
In addition, stricter provisions are being introduced to block improperly registered or fraudulently used SIM cards, signalling a tougher regulatory stance on compliance within the sector.
The commission said the reforms are part of a broader effort to rebuild consumer confidence in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, where mobile numbers now function as critical gateways to financial and social services.
Also speaking, Director of Cybersecurity and Internet Governance, Olatokunbo Oyeleye, emphasised that trust remains the backbone of digital growth, warning that weak safeguards could undermine the entire system.
Industry stakeholders say the proposed rules, if fully implemented, could significantly reduce cases of unauthorised SIM use, while giving subscribers greater control and visibility over their mobile identities.
However, operators are expected to face increased compliance obligations, particularly in managing subscriber data, notification systems, and real-time reporting requirements.
For regulators, the challenge will be ensuring strict enforcement without disrupting service delivery, as Nigeria deepens its dependence on mobile-driven transactions.
The commission has called for stakeholder input as it finalises the framework, signalling a collaborative approach to addressing risks in an increasingly digital economy.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.